Introduction to Environmental Science
•
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a national park directly east of San Francisco that was created in
1890.
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
San Francisco
The city of San Francisco experienced a tremendous population boom in the 19th century
due to the gold rush.
A powerful earthquake struck the city in 1906, followed by a devastating fire.
The city’s water pipes were so damaged by the earthquake, that firefighters were not able
to tap fire hydrants.
Earthquake of 1906
The economic and structural damage to the city is comparable to that of Hurricane Katrina
and New Orleans.
As part of the rebuilding process, the city applied to the federal government to construct a
reservoir in the Hetch Hetchy valley of Yosemite National Park.
Hetch Hetchy Valley
San Francisco city officials wanted to dam the Tuolumne River for a clean and dependable
long-term water source for a growing city.
An act of Congress and President Woodrow Wilson’s approval were needed for the dam
and reservoir to be constructed.
Environmental Science
Environmental science is defined as the interaction of humans with the environment.
The environment includes all conditions that surround living organisms:
• Climate
• Air and water quality
• Soil and landforms
• Presence of other living organisms
Environmental Science
What is Environmental Science?
• How humans interact with nature
What is the Environment?
• Conditions that surround living organisms including climate, soil, and other
organisms.
Environmental Science Cont’d
Environmental science and the issues that it studies are complex and interdisciplinary.
• Includes concepts and ideas from multiple fields of study.
• What fields are covered by the Hetch Hetchy debate?
•
Basic History of Humans and the Environment
Hunter-Gatherers (10,000 B.C.)
• Obtain food by collecting plants and hunting wild animals.
• Effects on the environment were limited.
-
•
Picked up and spread plants/seeds to new areas.
Basic History of Humans and the Environment
Agricultural Revolution (6000-7000 B.C.)
• Humans first developed the process of breeding, growing, and harvesting plants for
food as well as animal domestication.
• Effects on the environment:
-
•
Hunting of some animal species.
Human population grew more quickly
Natural habitats (grasslands, forests) replaced by farmland and villages.
New breeds of animals and plants were created.
Basic History of Humans and the Environment
Industrial Revolution (1800s)
• Shift in the source of energy to fossil fuels
• Effects on the environment:
-
More efficient farming
Faster human population growth
Increased burning of fossil fuels.
Introduced synthetic plastics, fertilizers, pesticides.
Higher amounts of pollution.
Spaceship Earth
Major Environmental Problems
•
•
•
Resource Depletion
• Resources can be renewable (water) or nonrenewable (oil).
• The supply of nonrenewable resources like fossil fuels and minerals will eventually
run out.
Pollution
• Undesired change in air, water, or soil that affects the health of living things.
Major Environmental Problems
Loss of Biodiversity
• The number and variety of species is decreasing.
• Extinction, or the complete loss of a species, is a natural event that can be
accelerated by human actions.
Major Environmental Problems
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Overpopulation
• 7 billion people
• Different impact levels but sheer numbers causes many problems.
Environmental Ethics
Environmental ethics is the discipline that studies the moral relationship of human beings
to the environment.
• What is the value of the environment?
• What moral responsibility do we have?
• Which needs should be given the highest priority in our decision making?
Different types of ethics have emerged in human culture in modern history.
Types of Environmental Ethics
There are five main historical stages of environmental ethics.
• Anthropocentric
• Pragmatic Resource Conservation
• Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation
• Modern Environmentalism
• Global Environmental Citizenship
Anthropocentrism
Anthropocentrism literally means “human-centered”.
• This set of ethics protects and promotes of human interests or well-being at the
expense of all other factors.
• Often places an emphasis on short-term benefits while disregarding long-term
consequences.
Pragmatic Resource Conservation
Advocated by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Conservationists believe the environment should be used in a planned way to benefit
everyone.
The correct policy will create the greatest good for the greatest number, for the longest
time.
Moral and Aesthetic Nature Preservation
Advocated by John Muir, first president of the Sierra Club.
Preservationists believe that nature deserves to exist for its own sake regardless of degree
of usefulness to humans.
The Hetch Hetchy Debate
Before and After
•
Modern Environmentalism
Rachel Carson wrote a book entitled Silent Spring about the effects of pesticides on birds.
• Awakened the public to threats of pollution and toxic chemicals to humans as well as
other species.
•
Global Environmentalism
Increased travel and communication enables people to know about daily events in places
unknown in previous generations.
• Issues and problems are explored on a global scale instead of a local one.
Worldviews and Environmental Ethics
Worldviews and Environmental Ethics
Worldviews and Environmental Ethics
•
•
Ecological Footprint
An ecological footprint is one measurement of a person’s resource use.
• Includes the amount of space needed to support each person in a nation, including
forests, farms, cities, etc.
The Goal: A Sustainable World
Sustainability
• Human needs are met so that the population can survive indefinitely.
• “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs.” - Brundtland Commission, 1987
Attitudes